Scorchers sign experienced trio

Perth secure experienced trio for the second edition of the Women's Big Bash League

Laura Jolly
23 July 2016

The Perth Scorchers have added experienced former international Lauren Ebsary to their ranks for the upcoming Women's Big Bash League season and re-signed two of the world's top players in Nicole Bolton and Suzie Bates.

Ebsary, who represented the Southern Stars on 34 occasions, captained the Adelaide Strikers and South Australia last summer, but makes the move west after announcing her retirement from the 50-over format last month.

Current Commonwealth Bank Southern Star Bolton returns to skipper the Scorchers in WBBL|02, having led the team to the semi-finals in the inaugural tournament.

The Scorchers will be particularly pleased to have retained New Zealand captain Bates, one of the most in-form players in the world at the moment and who would have been in hot demand from rival WBBL clubs.

Bolton blazes superb 77

Bates starred for the Scorchers last season, scoring 220 runs at an average of 44, while also taking eight wickets in nine matches.

She then top-scored for the White Ferns at the World T20 tournament in India earlier this year and carried that form to the United Kingdom, where she has scored an unbeaten T20 ton for Kent in county cricket.

Scorchers coach Lisa Keightley said the re-signing of the international pair along with Ebsary’s recruitment is a boost to the Scorchers following the loss of experienced players Jenny Wallace and Nicky Shaw, who have retired.

"Lauren led South Australia to the Women’s National Cricket League title last season and has plenty of experience at international level with Australia," Keightley said.

"She’s played more than 100 domestic games for South Australia and Western Australia, scoring almost 2500 runs and taking more than 50 wickets so she adds all-round quality.

"We’re delighted to have secured Nicole and Suzie for another season. They are real leaders of the squad who we hope will drive us towards another finals campaign."

The Scorchers begin their WBBL|02 campaign against Hobart Hurricanes in Sydney on December 10.

Laura Jolly is a writer for cricket.com.au. She previously wrote for News Corp Australia and the ICC Cricket World Cup 2015.